Extension-ladder



(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

D. H. CREWS.

EXTENSION LADDER.

No. 475,935. Patented May 31, 1892.

(No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3. D. H. OREWS. EXTENSION LADDER.

lPatented May 3l, 1892.

1 5 s, E m 2 um e. A H ,m om# m. s. U nll A Ar UNITED STATES ATENTtrici-..

DAYTON H. CREVS, OF LADONIA, TEXAS.

EXTENSION-LADDER *SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.475,935, dated May 31, 1892.

Application filed December 29, 1891. Serial No.416,4l3. (No model.)

To all wiz/0771, it may concern;

.Se it known that I, DAYTON Il. CREWS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Ladonia, in the county of Fannin and State of Texas, haveinvented a new and useful Extension-Ladder, of which the following is aspecitication.

rlhis invention relates to ladders, and more especially to that classthereof known as extension-ladders, and the object of the same is toproduce certain improvements therein.

To this end the invention consists in the details of construction,substantially as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and asillustrated on the three sheets of drawings, wherein- Figure l is aperspective view of this ladder in its extended position. F-ig. 2 is asimilar view of the ladder with its sections telescoped, and its bracesin the act of being folded against the ladder. Fig. 3 is a centrallongitudinal section showing the catch in position when one section ofLheladder is being raised. Fig. 4 is a similar section showing how thecatch supports the section raised. Fig. 5 is an enlarged perspectivedetail of one of the hooks. Fig. G is a side elevation, on an enlargedscale, of the lower end of one side of the lower ladder-section. Fig. 7is a crosssection on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 is a verticalsection on the line 8 8 thereof. Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the lowerend of one of the braces. Fig. 9 is a central vertical longitudinalsection thereof. Fig. 9b is a section through the extension device forthe brace, taken at right angles to the section of Fig. 9. Fig. 9C is alperspective detailof one of the struts. Fig. lO is a front elevation ofthe upper end of one ladder-section. Fig. ll is a perspective detailshowing one of the'inelined braces out of use. Fig. l2 is a crosssectionof two ladder-sections, showing one of the guiding-straps.

Referring to the said drawings, the letter L designates theladder-sections;.R, the raising-rope; W', the windlass; C, thesupportingcatch; P, the friction pulleys or rollers; H, the hooks; B,the braces; E, the extension devices for said braces; S, the struts; I,the inclined braces, and F the extension-feet for the lowerladder-section, these parts being preferably of the followingconstruction:

"same and extended.

The ladder L is made in a number of sections, in the present instancethree, designated by the numerals l, 2, and 3, (although there may bemore, if desi red,) the second seetion sliding upon the rungs and justinside the side bars of the first, and so on to the top ef the ladder,and they are guided under angular metallic straps 5, as seen in Fig. l2,the straps permitting the side bars of an upper section to slide overthe rungs of the section below and preventing the displacement of thesections. The uppermost rung` 3l of each section is preferably of iron,Fig. l0, having a square body and `reduced rounded ends 7, which aresecured in the side bars of the ladder and form bearings forfriction-rollers or wheels 6, which guide the ladder-section abovein itsvertical movements, strap-braces 3l preferably connecting this rung nearits ends with the side bars, in order to brace the ladder. At the upperends 0f the laddersections there are preferably arranged guidewheels 8,which travel against the face of a dead-wall, if the ladder is leanedagainst t-he -l is a small platform mounted on angular brackets 9, whichhave hooks 9', adapted to engage two contiguous rungs on any section, soas to hold the platform approximately level, whereby a bucket of wateror other article may be supported thereon.

The means for extending this ladder consists of a windlass lV, journaledin bearings at the rear of the lowermost section l, and this windlasscomprises a main shaft l0, having crank-handles ll and a ratchet-wheell2, large gears i3 on this shaft meshing with smaller gears l-i on asecond shaft l5 in the bearings 16, above mentioned. Thus when one orboth of the cranks ll are turned the shaft l5 is rapidly revolved andthis winds the rope R, which is used for raising the several sections ofthe ladder. The rope itself is in several sections, the lowermostsection 2O being connected to the shaft l5 of the windlass, passingthence upwardly over a friction-pulley P, connected to the upper rung 3lof the lower section l and leading thence down to a hook ll, which isconnected with one of the lower rungs of the second laddersection 2. Thesecond rope-section 2l is connected in a similar manner to the lowerrung IOO of the first ladder-section, passes over another pulley P onthe upper rung 3l of the second ladder-section, and is connected by ahook ll to one of the lower rungs of the third laddersection. Thus Whenthe windlass is operated the second ladder-section is raised over thefirst, and this raises the center of the second rope-section; but as thelower end of this ropesection is secured to a stationary rung it cannotmove, and hence the other end rises with twice the speed of the center,which therefore raises the third ladder-section.

Each of the hooks II, just mentioned, is preferably of the constructionshown in Fig. 5that is to say, the body 42 of the hook is straight,having its upper end turned over, as at 47, into a large hook and itslower end 45 curved around under the rung 46,10 which it may be bolted,as at 4l. To the extremity of the large hook 47 is pivoted, as at 43,atongue 40, which stands within this hook, and 44 is an eye of anysuitable pattern secured to the rope R and ot' proper size to pass overthe pivot 43. As the eye rises the tongue moves to the dotted position,and after the eye has passed the tip of the tongue the latter falls backto its full-line position and prevents the displacement of the eye.

In Fig. 4 is shown one of the friction-pnlleys P in section, and Fig. l0shows it in elevation. The same comprises a strap-hook 30, extendingover the rung 3l, to which it may be connected by a bolt 32, and thelower end of this hook is divided, as at 33, its extremity being formedinto eyes 34. Through these eyes extends a transverse bolt or pin 35,and on the pin is journaled a grooved sheave or pulley proper 36, asshown.

The catch C, which I preferably use, is best seen in Figs. 3 and 4. Thiscatch comprises a body 50, secured at its lower end to the lower rung 4Gof any ladder-section but the lower one, and at its upper end at 5l tothe rung next above. A second member is pivoted at 57 to the body, fromwhich it is borne by a spring 54, a chain 52 limiting its rearwardmovement to just such point that a face 56 at its lower end will comeover one of the rungs of the ladder-section next below, as seen in Fig.4. The upper section being raised this catch slides over the rungs ofthe lower section, and when the uppersection is brought back a littlethe lower end 5G of the member 53 rests on one of the rungs, whereby7the upper ladder-section is supported. Then it .is desired to lower theextension-section, the member 53 of the catch is carried past the rungsof the lower stationary section by an automatically operating pivotedlever 55, which is pivoted at the lower end of a depending hanger 58 andwhich is arranged so that it will assume normally aposition shown inFig. 4, with its end 5l) in alignment with the rungs of thelowerstationarysection, whereby when the extension-section is loweredthe pivoted lever 55 will be raised and will cngage thc member 53 andwill carry the latter inward clear of the rnngs. In raising anextension-section the pivoted lever 55 will swing to a vertical positionwhen it strikes the run gs and will pass the same, and to prevent itentirely rotating by contact with the rungs a stop 59L is provided.Preparatory to lowering an extension-section it is slightly elevated tobring the pivoted lever 55 above the rung on which the member 53 hasbeen supported.

In Fig. 9 is shown to best advantage one of the braces B, which Ipreferably employ for supporting this ladder when it is to be used at apoint where the upper end of the upper section will not rest against asupport. Each et' these braces consists of a main or stationary sectionGO, whose lower end rests on the ground, andan upper or sliding sectionGl, adapted to be moved over the lower section bythe extension devicesE, this upper section being` pivoted at (52 to the lower laddersection lnear its upper end. The lower end of the upper section has a strap G3,which embraces and slides on the body of the lower section, and theupper end of the lower section has a similar strap 64, loosely engagingtbe body of the upper section. It will be seen by Fig. l that eachsection is in duplicate and the rear ends of the two straps G4 areextended, as at 65, and connected by braces GG with the upper end of themembers of the lower section. At the lower end ofthe extension device isa plug G7, let intothe same and havingholes 67through itsbody,and GSisapin moving through a spring G0 in asmall keeper titl and removablyengaging one of such holes. By this means the plug can be drawn out theproper extent at the lower end of either member of the lower section tocauso the brace to properly rest on inclined or uneven ground, as willbe clear. The extension devicesE for this brace are preferably of thefollowing construction: 70 is a shaft journaled in the rear ends (35 ofthe two straps G4 and having a crank-handle 7l. 72 is a ratchet on thisshaft engaged by a pawl 73, and 74 is a rope or chain leading from theshaft 70 over a wheel 75, mounted within the slotted upper end 7G of thelower section 60, led down the groove Gl of the section 6l (l shouldhave said that the adjacent faces of the sections of the bracepreferably have tongue and groove) and connected at its other end to thelower end of the upper section. i 77 is a vertical series of holesformed in the upper section 61, and 78 is a stout staple supported by achain 79 from the section (30 and adapted to be passed astride the upperstrap 64 and into a pair of theholes when the two scctionshave beenproperly adjusted, by which means thebrace .is locked against a possibleretrograde movement in case the pawl 73 should slip or the rope or chain74 should break.

Then the ladder is set up and the braces run out to hold it raised,struts S are used to hold the braces the proper distance from theladder, and each strut preferably comprises an eyebolt 80, takingthrough the side bar of IOO the lower ladder-section l, a long rod 8l,linked placement when it does not rest against a wall. Each brace I hasa stout pole 84 forits body, with a spike 85 in its lower end, adaptedto embed the earth, and a laterally-projecting eye 8G at its upper end.87 is a bracket secured to the outside of the side bar of the lowerladder-section l, which bracket has an enlargement SS near its lower endand has its two extremities Si) fastened to the said side bar. When notin use each inclined brace is moved so that its eye 8G travels to theupper end of the body S7 of the bracket; but when in use, Fig. ll, theeye is slipped down into the enlargement SS, at which time the body ofthe brace is longer than the side bar of theladder below saidenlargement, and hence the brace must stand oblique. Its spike 85 isembedded in the earth and the ladder is held against all lateraldisplacement.

In order that the lower section of the ladder may be adj usted toaccommodate it toinequalities in the ground, I provide the adjustablefeet F. (Best seen in Figs. 6, 7, and S.) Each foot comprises a toothedbody 90, with an enlarged lower end 91, the body sliding verticallythrough eyes 92 in the side bar of the ladder.

93 is acatch slidingr under staples 9-l, laterally of the body 90, and95 is a spring normally drawing an enlargement 9G of this catch intoplace in rear of the body, so as to prevent a vertical movement ot' thebody by engaging the teeth with a lug 92 in one of the eyes. The lowerends or extremities 97 of the side bars of the ladder are sharpened, asseen in Fig. G, and usually embed the earth for at least a shortdistance or until the enlarged lower end 91 strikes the earth; but whenit is desired to make either side bar longer the catch 93 is movedthrough the staples 94E until its enlargement 9G disengagcs the teeth ofthe body. The latter is then set vertically through the eyes 92, as maybe necessary, and the catch is returned to itsposition.

`With the above construction of parts the ladder in its extendedcondition, Fig. l, may be used for any desired purpose, and the braces Band inclined braces I may be omitted entirely if the ladder is to beused against a house or other similar support. The sections of theladder may be extended by the windlass XV, and the catches C will holdthem positively raised, and these catches can be thrown out of operativeposition by their hooks 55 when it is desired to again lower the ladder.Vhen the braces B are used, they may be extended by their extensiondevices E, or in lieu of such devices I might have other means forextending them-such, for instance, as shown in my patent, No. 462,240,granted November 3, 1891.

Parts of this device may be used without the whole, and considerablechange in and elaboration of details may be made without depart-ing fromthe spirit of my invention.

What is claimed as new is-- l. A ladder having aligned eyes in its sidebars near their lower ends, a foot sliding vertically through said eyesand having an cnlarged lower end, the body of the foot being toothed,and a spring-actuated catch sliding horizontally through staples andhaving an enlargement normally causing the teeth on said foot to engagewith one of the eyes, as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A ladder having on each side bar abracket with an enlargement nearits lowerend, in combination with an inclined brace having a. spike inits lower end and a laterally-projecting eye in its upper end looselyengaging said bracket, the brace being longer than the portion of theside bar below said enlargement, as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with a ladder made in several sections sliding overeach other and means for extending and telescopin g said sections, of abrace in two members pivoted to the lower ladder-section near its upper'end, each member comprising two sections sliding` over each other andhaving straps loosely embracing the other sect-ions, the upper sectionhaving a vertical series of holes, means for extending said sections,and a staple adapted to pass over the strap on the lower section andtake into two of the holes of said series, as and for the purpose setforth.

Il. The combination, with a ladder made in several sections sliding overeach other and means for extending and telescopin g said sections, offriction-wheels journaled on the upper rung of each ladder-section butthe uppermost, the side bars of the sections next above moving over saidwheels, strap-braces 3l', connecting the rungs supporting thefrictionwheels with the side bars of the ladder, and angular metallicstraps on the side bars of one section loosely embracing the side barsof the other, substantially as described.

5. The combination, with a ladder, a brace made in two sections, theupper one of which is pivoted to said ladder, and guides causing thesections to slide on each other, of a crankshaft journaled in anextension of the guide on the lower section, a pawl and ratchet on thisshaft, a wheel journaled in the slotted upper end of this section, and arope leading from the shaft over the wheel and connected with the lowerend of the upper section, substantially as described.

6. The combination, with a ladder, a brace made in two sections, theupper one of which IOO IIO

is pivoted to said ladder and has a longitudinal series of holes, and aguide on the lower section,through which the upper section slides, of acrank-shaft journaled in an extension of said guide, a wheel journaledin a slot in the upper end of the lower section, a rope leading from theshaft over the Wheel and connected with the lower end of the uppersection, and a staple adapted to stand over said guide and removablyengage two of the holes in said series, as and for the purpose setforth.

7. In a ladder, the combination, with the ladder proper and means forlengthening` either of its side bars at its lower ends, of a pair ofbraces pivoted to the upper end of the ladder, a plug seated in thelower end of each brace and having a series of holes through its body,and a spring-actuated pin moving through a keeper on the brace andadapted to engage one of said holes, as and for the purpose set forth.

S. The combination, with a ladder, a brace pivoted to the upper endthereof and made in two members, and a rod connecting said members, ofan eyebolt through the side bar of the ladder, a rod linked into the eyeat one end and having a hook at its other end adapted to embrace saidrod,and a spring-tongue normally closing said hook, as and for thepurpose set forth.

9. In an eXtensible ladder, the combination, with a lower section havinga pulley secured to its upper rung,awindlass,and a rope leading from thewindlass over the pulley to an eye, of a second section sliding on thefirst and a hook comprising a bent lower end secured to the lower rungof this section, a large hooked body, and a tongue pivoted to theextremity of the body and normally closing it, said eye being of a sizeto pass over the pivot and tongue, substantially as described.

l0. In an extension-ladder, the combination, with a lower ladder-sectionand an upper laddersection sliding thereover, of a catch comprising abody secured to two rungs of the upper section, a member pivoted at itsupper end to the body and having a curved face at its lower end, aspring bearing the -member to the rear, and a chain limiting itsmovement so as to bring said face over a rung of the lower section,substantially as described.

1l. In an extension-ladder, the combination, with a lower ladder-sectionand an upperladder-Section sliding thereover, of a catch comprising abody secured to two rungs of the upf per section, a member pivoted atits upper end to the body and having a curved face at its lower end, aspring bearing the member to the rear, a chain limiting its movement soas to bring said face over a rung of the lower section, and apivotallymounted lever arranged to be engaged by the ru n gs of thelower section and adapted to engage the pivoted member of the catch, asand for the purpose set forth. p

12. In an extension-ladder, the combination, with a lower section, ametallic rung at the u pper end thereof having reduced ends seated inthe side bars,strapbraces connecting said bars with the body of thisrung, a pulley carried by the rung, wheels journaled on said reducedends, and an upper ladder section whose side bars slide over saidWheels, of a windlass on the lower section, a rope leading therefromoverthe lower pulley and connected with a lower rung of the uppersection, and guide-wheels journaled in the upper ends of the side harsof the ladder-section, all substantially as and for the purpose setforth.

In testimony that I claim t-he foregoing as my own I have hereto aiixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

DAYTON Il. CREWS.

Witnesses:

M. G. COTTRELL, W. R. CRocKETT.

